Man Utd want 'next Paul Pogba' in free transfer as Bruno Fernandes link gives advantage

 

 

Man Utd have set their sights on signing Cher Ndour 

(Image: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

 

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manutd-pogba-fernandes-cher-ndour-28721952

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Man Utd want 'next Paul Pogba' in free transfer as Bruno Fernandes link gives advantage
Erik ten Hag is busy plotting his next transfer moves at Manchester United with the Red Devils eyeing up the 'next Paul Pogba' - towering Benfica midfielder Cher Ndour, 18

By
James Nursey13:56, 13 Dec 2022
Updated15:48, 13 Dec 2022

Manchester United want Benfica starlet Cher Ndour who is out of contract next year.

United are ready to battle with Juventus to land teenager Ndour, who is an Italian under-20 international. The Serie A side see the midfielder as an heir to 29-year-old French international Paul Pogba. They hope Brescia-born Ndour, 18, will want to join his idol, Pogba, in Turin at the end of the season.

But 6ft 3in Ndour has the same agent as Bruno Fernandes and they are open to a move to United. A summer switch is increasingly likely for talented midfielder Ndour, who was snapped up by Atalanta from Bergamo after starting at his local club Brescia.

Ndour later moved to Portugal in 2020 and at 16 years and 279 days became the youngest ever debutant for Benfica B. He took the record from Joao Felix, who made his debut for the B team aged 16 years and 312 days on December 17, 2016, against Freamunde.

Ndour is yet to play for Benfica's first team but was this year among the 100 nominees for the Golden Boy 2022 award, which was won by Barcelona 's Gavi. And it's also the LaLiga giants who United could find themselves competing with in January, as Barcelona have been credited with interest.

Erik ten Hag has been using the World Cup break to plan for the long term at Old Trafford, with central midfield an area of focus since his arrival in June. The Red Devils boss was desperate to land former Ajax prodigy Frenkie de Jong, but instead signed Christian Eriksen on a free transfer from Brentford and splashed out around £60million on Real Madrid stalwart Casemiro.

Ndour is set to be available on a free transfer next summer when his Benfica contract expires
(Image: Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Ten Hag's primary focus in January will be on signing a new striker after the club acrimoniously terminated Cristiano Ronaldo 's contract. Asked by the Athletic during United's warm-weather training camp in Spain last week whether the Red Devils were looking to replace Ronaldo, Ten Hag replied: "Yes, but only when we find the right player.